Document Translation (Thai-English / English-Thai)

When You Need A Certified Translation

Translation is required (rather than a bilingual copy or summary) in the following scenarios:

For Thai Immigration (in-country extension and permanent residency): foreign-language documents submitted to Immigration must be translated into Thai by a certified Thai translator. This includes: overseas bank statements, pension statements, income certificates, marriage certificates from abroad, birth certificates, criminal record checks.

For Thai consulates overseas (Non-OA, Non-B, Non-O): Thai consulates typically accept English-language documents directly. However, documents in languages other than English usually require a certified English translation alongside the original.

For the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs (apostille and legalisation): documents being legalised for use in Thailand must be in Thai, or accompanied by a certified Thai translation, for the MFA to process the legalisation stamp.

For foreign embassies in Thailand: embassies processing visas, marriage certificates for foreign nationals, or citizenship documents from Thai records typically require Thai-to-English certified translations.

Common Documents Translated

• Marriage certificates (Thai ↔ English) • Birth certificates (Thai → English for foreign use; English → Thai for Immigration) • Bank statements and financial documents • Employment letters and income certificates • Criminal background check (Police Clearance Certificate) — Thai or foreign • Power of attorney documents • Lease agreements and property documents • University degrees and transcripts

Translation Certification Standards

Different receiving authorities have different requirements for what constitutes a "certified" translation: • Thai Immigration Bureau: accepts translation by a certified Thai translator with an official stamp and translator credentials. • Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs: requires translation by a licensed translator registered with the MFA's approved translator list. • Foreign embassies: each embassy specifies its own requirements. Some accept any professional translator; others require a sworn translator from their home country.

We confirm the specific certification standard required for your application before engaging a translator.

How Visa Centre Helps

We assess which documents need translation for your specific application, confirm the certification standard required by the receiving authority, and coordinate with our network of licensed Thai translators. For documents used across multiple applications (e.g. a marriage certificate used for both Immigration and a consulate), we coordinate translation in the right format for each.

Turnaround: typically 2–5 business days for standard documents. Urgent turnaround available for time-sensitive applications — please advise us of your deadline.

General guidance only. Translation requirements vary by office and application type. Independent service; not affiliated with any government body.